Planet Philadelphia

Innovation in Renewable Energy & Environmental News - Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 3/3/23

2/24/2023

University of Buffalo School of Engineering WindTunnel

Innovation in renewable energy technology continues and shows increasing promise in addressing climate change effectively as well as demonstrates the complexity of the problem.

Dr. John Hall is Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He will talk about developments in wind energy technology and their pros and cons.
Dr. Nasir Mahmood is a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia. He will be talking about his team’s work developing a new process for making hydrogen fuel out of sea water (not fresh water), other issues in making hydrogen production totally green, and additional long term environmental problems in hydrogen manufacture.

In addition, we bring you news on a recent environmental accident.

Kristina Marusic is a reporter for Environmental Health News and author of a forthcoming book on cancer and the chemical exposures causing it. In Part I of her interview, she will discuss the recent train derailment in Palestine Ohio near the Pennsylvania border and the chemicals it is emitting. In Part II, on our next show, she will discuss the increasing world-wide exposure to cancer causing chemicals in our environment through train derailments and other causes.
Related news items

To hear Planet Philadelphia live, tune your radio dial to 92.9 FM
in NW Philadelphia or live stream at gtownradio.com
4-5:00 PM ET the 1st & 3rd Fridays/month.
Also aired on Villanova University’s radio station, WXVU,
Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at 89.1FM.

Podcasts are available shortly after broadcast at
planetphiladelphia.com, and on many podcasts apps.

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Imagine a Clean Energy Future student contest.

2/22/2023

The deadline for submissions is fast approaching for the Imagine a Clean Energy Future student contest. To create a clean, equitable energy future, we need to be able to see it. The contest has three categories.:

1. Visual Arts: all visual media accepted: drawing, painting, collage, etc.
2. Language Arts: 500 words or less essay, poem or other written format
3. Video: 90 seconds or less showing an invention, concept, learning center or other idea that will help us build a clean energy future.

The contest is open to all students in the region in grades 5 - 12. Students may submit entries in one, two or all three categories. Student work will be exhibited and prizes will be awarded in the spring during Earth Week. The deadline is February 28, 2023. Please see our website and the attached poster for more details.

https://www.phillysolar.org/student-contest

Announcements for 2/17/23 Show

2/19/2023

Weavers Way Community Grants
Application due 3/2 for small environmental grant to community groups
See Weavers Way website (www.weaverway.coop scroll down the home page for the link) for the application.
https://weaversway.coop/pages/environment-committee-community-grants

University of Pennsylvania Kleinman Summer Opportunities
Fellowships and internships available
Further information and application:
https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/student-opportunities/internships-opportunities/

Philly Spring Clean Up
April 1 9am-2pm
To find out how to participate:
email Keith Warren [email protected]

Solutions for Philadelphia to make it more equitable
The nonprofit organization Next City has an ebook describing solutions for cities, especially Philly. Go to their website to download it.
https://nextcity.org/

Great Backyard Bird Count
Global effort to gather data on birds. Runs 2/17 through 2/20
Hosted by National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds of Canada
https://www.birdcount.org/?utm_campaign=GBBC%202023&utm_source=BCE&utm_medium=banner&utm_term=C&utm_content=count_now

Podcast 2/17/23 show: Imhotep Isnt. HS Students using what they learn to help people; Ishmael Buckner, financing environmental justice; Zachary Barber, train explosion

2/18/2023

Students from Imhotep Institute Charter High School using what they learn to help with the water crisis in Jackson Mississippi, and installing a self-contained hydroponic farm living classroom that they have designed here in the neighborhood. Also on this show: is Ishmael Buckner, a policy advocate at Public citizen’s climate program, who gives us his analysis of some of the problems and solutions in financing environmental justice. And PennEnvironment Clean Air Advocate, Zachary Barber, on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border train explosion and its implications.

Listen to show:
https://www.mixcloud.com/PlanetPhiladelphia/imhotep-isnt-hs-students-ishmael-buckner-ej-finance-zachary-barber-train-explosion-21723/

New Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Today: Ways to Make Our World Better

2/16/2023

Tune in to Planet Philadelphia at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia & https://gtownradio.com everywhere to hear about ways to improve our environment, health, and equality.

The Imhotep Institute Charter High School provides students from throughout Philadelphia with African-centered STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education at its location in Germantown. Shirley Posey Jackson, Director of Imhotep’s STEM program, and selected students designated as “STEM Ambassadors” are taking their studies beyond the classroom to provide practical help for the Germantown community, elsewhere in the country, and around the world. They will describe their current initiatives.

Ishmael Buckner is a policy advocate focusing on climate financial regulations. He's advocated for proper and responsible climate risk consideration, addressing possible disparate impacts along racial/lineage lines (particularly for Black Americans who descend from U.S. slavery) and need for better more precise disaggregated data collection. He will address the climate crisis, accountability and deep reforms and reimagining safety practices in response to racist enforcement of laws, policy advocacy to close the racial wealth gap.

Zachary Barber, PennEnvironment Clean Air Advocate, discusses the Pennsylvania-Ohio border train explosion and its environmental and health implications. Zach works to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has clean, healthy air to breathe. He leads work to clean up industrial air pollution from Pittsburgh’s Toxic Ten and rein in other polluters across the Commonwealth.

Ways to Make Our World Better

2/10/2023

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM Friday 2/17/23
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at https://gtownradio.com.

Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show 4-5:00 PM Friday 2/17/23:
We talk with people who have inspirational and practical ideas to help make our world better.

Students from Imhotep Institute Charter High School

These young people are using what they learned to help the water crisis in Jackson Mississippi and to install a self-contained hydroponic farm here at home in a living classroom they designed. Imhotep STEM Ambassadors:

Jameisa Cobbs - (Team Lead) Junior
Mikal Davis Jr -Junior
Zykiah Hart-Levy - Junior
Ariel Headen - Junior
Montrell Irvin, Jr. - Senior (Lead Engineer)
Jaida Jordan - Junior
Janiece Watters - Junior
Isaiah Prater - Sophomore
Aasiyah Pressley - (C0-Lead Engineer)
Shamir Ravnell - Sophomore (Co-Lead Engineer)
Felton Thompson - Junior
Jabree Wallace-Coleman - Sophomore
Zymirah Weathersby - Junior
Jermiah White - Junior
Musa Wilson - Junior (Lead Research Analyst)
Cyril Woodland Jr. - Freshman (Co-Lead Engineer)
Kenny Woseley Jr. - (Team Lead) Junior

Also on this show:

Ishmael Buckner, policy advocate at Public citizen’s climate program, gives his analysis of the problems and solutions in financing environmental justice.
Zachary Barber, PennEnvironment Clean Air Advocate, discusses the Pennsylvania-Ohio border train explosion and its environmental implications.

Opportunity for funding

2/8/2023

Weavers Way Environment Committee Community Grants
Applications must be received by Friday, March 3, 2023.

Once again, the Environment Committee of Weavers Way is offering small grants to community groups. This year we are giving preference to those grant applications which attempt to counteract climate change, such as planting trees and replacing lawn or turf with native plants, which benefit pollinators and birds. Local community groups are invited to apply. Preference for awards will be given to those groups located close to Co-op stores and in underserved neighborhoods.

Applications may be downloaded here and printed. Completed applications may be dropped off in the Environment Committee mailbox on the second floor of the Mt. Airy store or sent to Environment Committee, Weavers Way Co-op, 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119.
https://weaversway.coop/pages/environment-committee-community-grants

Let the EPA know what you think - public comment opportunities

2/8/2023

We recently talked with Tyler Lobdell of Food & Water Watch about the EPA’s proposal to add more ethanol, biogas, and wood pellet power in the nation's fuel mix. Here is the link to where people can comment at the EPA about the biofuel proposal: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0427-0421

A couple other issues :

Methane Regulations:
The Environmental Protection Agency supplemental proposal to reduce methane in oil and natural gas operations. The rule is a cornerstone of the EPA’s strategy under President Joe Biden to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The rule will have the biggest impact in oil and gas producing states like Texas that do not have broad methane regulations. The public comment period closes on Feb. 13 and the EPA will issue the final rule later this year.

To read the comment period extension notice, visit: https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil- and-natural-gas-industry/epa-extends-comment-period-proposed-new

For instructions on submitting public comment on the proposal, see:
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/epas-2021-oil-and-gas-proposal.-how-to- comment.pdf

EPA Opens Public Comment Period for Indoor airPLUS Program Update
In order to advance indoor air quality protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing proposed updates to the Indoor airPLUS program, and will be taking public comment for 60 days. Comments will be accepted until April 3, 2023.
Under this proposed program update, builders will have an opportunity to choose between two Indoor airPLUS labels: Indoor airPLUS Certification, and Indoor airPLUS Gold. The proposed “Indoor airPLUS Certification” specifications focus on strategies to improve indoor air quality without a pre-requisite of ENERGY STAR certification. The proposed “Indoor airPLUS Gold” specifications include more advanced protections for improved indoor air quality in conjunction with ENERGY STAR certification.
Following the 60-day comment period, EPA expects to release the final Indoor airPLUS Certification and Gold specifications in January 2024. During the first 12-months of implementation beginning January 2024, partners could continue to use Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications Version 1, Rev.4 or begin to use one of the new two-tier specifications, if finalized. EPA anticipates that the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications Version 1, Rev. 4 will be sunset by January 2025. These dates are subject to change.
Find more information on:
   •   Indoor airPLUS
   •   Indoor airPLUS Version 2
   •   Finding an Indoor airPLUS builder or rater in your area
   •   Joining the Indoor airPLUS program

PODCAST: Biofuels, Gas Plant Permit & Oysters; Tyler Lobdell, Lisa Hastings, Lynn Robinson & Sarah Bouboulis 2/3/2023

2/4/2023

Biofuels recently have been talked about as transitional fuels (as has natural gas, and liquified natural gas) to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Currently the EPA is considering regulations to expand biofuel use. We discuss the implications of this proposal with Tyler Lobdell. Also in this show, some solutions to local environmental problems and more.

Tyler Lobdell focuses on food and agriculture and its relationship to fuels and energy environmental issues at Food and Water Watch
Lisa Hastings and Lynn Robinson SEPTA’s permit renewal for their Nicetown gas plant
Sarah Bouboulis, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, on how oyster shells are being used in the Delaware Valley to provide habitat and clean the water.
Related news items

Listen to full show:
https://www.mixcloud.com/PlanetPhiladelphia/biofuels-gas-plant-permit-oysters-tyler-lobdell-lisa-hastings-lynn-robinson-sarah-bouboulis/

Tune in 4:00 PM ET today: Biofuels & Local Environmental Solutions

2/3/2023

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM today
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

Photo by Jesse Gardner on Unsplash

Tyler Lobdell focuses on food and agriculture and its relationship to fuels and energy environmental issues at Food and Water Watch.
Lisa Hastings and Lynn Robinson SEPTA’s permit renewal for their Nicetown gas plant.
Sarah Bouboulis, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, on how oyster shells are being used in the Delaware Valley to provide habitat and clean the water.
Related news items

Planet Philadelphia

Innovation in Renewable Energy & Environmental News - Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 3/3/23

Imagine a Clean Energy Future student contest.

Announcements for 2/17/23 Show

Podcast 2/17/23 show: Imhotep Isnt. HS Students using what they learn to help people; Ishmael Buckner, financing environmental justice; Zachary Barber, train explosion

New Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Today: Ways to Make Our World Better

Tune in to Planet Philadelphia at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia & https://gtownradio.com everywhere to hear about ways to improve our environment, health, and equality.

Ways to Make Our World Better

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM Friday 2/17/23
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at https://gtownradio.com.

Opportunity for funding

Let the EPA know what you think - public comment opportunities

PODCAST: Biofuels, Gas Plant Permit & Oysters; Tyler Lobdell, Lisa Hastings, Lynn Robinson & Sarah Bouboulis 2/3/2023

Tune in 4:00 PM ET today: Biofuels & Local Environmental Solutions

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM today
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

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Planet Philadelphia

​Tune in to Planet Philadelphia at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia & https://gtownradio.com everywhere to hear about ways to improve our environment, health, and equality.

Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 2/17/2392.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphiaand live streaming at https://gtownradio.com.

Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM today 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphiaand live streaming at gtownradio.com

Archives

Categories

Tune in to Planet Philadelphia at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia & https://gtownradio.com everywhere to hear about ways to improve our environment, health, and equality.

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM Friday 2/17/23
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at https://gtownradio.com.

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM today
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com